Ignite & Inspire: Facing your fears

When fear creeps up and I come face to face with it, I usually run to my bed. I crawl under the white duvet cover where it’s soft cotton wraps around my body and I can pull it all the way up over my head. I block the world out. I’ve spent many moments under the covers peering out, hoping that just this once, my fear would just leave me alone. It never does. Eventually I have to remove myself from the white sheets, set my feet on the cold ground, and face my fears.

In the next moment I grab piece of paper and make a list. A list of my fears, all of them, until I feel there is nothing left. In doing so, my breathing returns to normal, my brain starts working again, and my fears become broken down into just words.

And then, I write the opposite, the exact opposite of my fear.

I’m scared that my business will fail / My business will be successful.
I won’t have a beautiful studio space / My studio space will be the prefect place to meet my new friends and where off the hook shoots will happen.
Boudoir photography isn’t what people are looking for / Yea right, boudoir photos are the next best thing next to cupcakes at a wedding!
I’m scared that I’m going to fall on my face while chasing this dream / Chasing this dreams is going to give me the best set of legs and wings!

I love writing lists, because I’m a list girl, but because when I write the opposite, how in the world am I supposed to be scared when I’m telling myself I will be successful chasing after this beautiful dream?!

What do you do to help face your fears? Do you go running, do you talk with a friend? If you don’t know, try out writing a list!

And because I know you really come here to look at some photos, here is a little peek at what is to come!

6 comments
  • AnneJune 21, 2011 - 9:10 PM

    Good strategy, Lesley! I am sometimes fearful as well, but we’ll be stronger afterwards 🙂 xoxoReplyCancel

  • Monica DartJune 21, 2011 - 9:16 PM

    love your honesty….and I do the same – feel like hiking under the covers when fear seems to creep in. Just by changing your thought patterns to positive ones, changes everything. (Positive) thoughts create reality.ReplyCancel

  • Tanja A.June 21, 2011 - 9:29 PM

    I like the picture! Also very elegant eye makeup!
    Very curious to see the other pictures! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • AnouschkaJune 21, 2011 - 9:49 PM

    Turning negatives into positives, that’s the way to go!
    Love that photo btw, look forward to seeing more!ReplyCancel

  • Stacie FrazierJune 28, 2011 - 9:56 PM

    This is so profound for me since I am so full of so many fears! I am going to try this the next time I feel those fears creeping up on me!

    really love your blog, by the way. I absolutely must start finding the time to read it more often!ReplyCancel

    • LesleyJune 29, 2011 - 9:10 AM

      I’m so happy you found it useful Stacie! I get so bogged down with my fears that I found this to be a great way to deter them. Let me know how it goes! 🙂ReplyCancel